Today I was fortunate enough to speak at the SMC3 conference in Chicago about the progress we’ve made toward achieving the President’s goal of doubling U.S. exports. SMC3 is
a supply chain industry association that provides technology to
shipping and logistics companies across the country, the very same
companies who ensure the efficient transportation of American exports.
Each year, the conference brings together representatives from America’s
most active manufacturing, trucking, rail, shipping, and logistics
firms.

The success of U.S. exporters depends in part on U.S. businesses
being able to quickly and efficiently get their products to market. So
it was fitting that I gave these remarks in Chicago, home to some of
America’s most important freight and transportation corridors. According
to the latest data, the Chicago metropolitan area is the 7th largest
export market in the U.S. with merchandise shipments totaling nearly $34
billion.

Chicago is also home to some of America’s top exporters. I was pleased to honor an innovative company, BayRu, with an Export Achievement Certificate while in Chicago. Their online store, http://www.bay.ru,
BayRu is one of the fastest growing e-commerce sites in Russia. On
bay.ru, Russian shoppers can buy a wide range of American consumer goods
found in catalogues like E-bay and Amazon and then have those products
shipped to more than 160 cities across Russia and other CIS states.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke participated in the U.S.-Russia Business
Summit today alongside President Obama, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russia’s
Minister of Economic Development Elvira Nabiullina at the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. Talking with both U.S.
and Russian business and association leaders, Locke discussed further
developing bilateral commercial relations and highlighted examples of new plans
for cooperation between U.S.
and Russian companies. Locke and Nabiullina co-chair the U.S.-Russia Business
Development and Economic Relations Working Group and together solicited input
from Summit
participants. Read moreWhite House "Reset" fact sheetDOC Fact sheetWhite House blogPress conference video